What Causes People To Talk In Their Sleep

Posted 25 Jan 18

Somniloquy is known as the condition for talking whilst sleeping and not being aware of it. The dialogues involved can be cryptic such as mumbling or can be clear dialogue, additionally their voice can sound different to when they are awake. Sleep talking is usually only common in men and children; however, anyone can experience it.

Sleep talking can be a result of stress, depression, sleep deprivation, day-time drowsiness, alcohol, and fever. On most occasions sleep talking runs in families, although exterior factors seem to stimulate the behaviour. Sleep talking often occurs alongside with other sleep disorders such as nightmares, confusion arousals, sleep apnea, and REM sleep behaviour disorder. In infrequent cases, adult-onset common sleep-talking is related to a psychiatric disorder or nocturnal seizures. Sleep talking connected with mental or medical illness happens more frequently in people over the age of 25.

Overall, treatment is not required. Although, if sleep talking is severe or continues over a long period of time, it is recommended that you talk to a physician or a health care provider about the problem. There may be an underlying medical explanation for your sleep talking (e.g. an undiagnosed sleep disorder, or incapacitating anxiety or stress).

Specific measures can be taken to decrease the probability of a sleep talking episode. Following regular sleep schedule, getting adequate amounts of sleep, and practicing proper sleep hygiene can help reduce the frequency and severity of sleep talking. Also refrain from alcohol, heavy meals, and excessive amounts of stress to reduce sleep talking.